Venue Manager

HIRING: Experienced Venue Manager (Bar, Restaurant & Events Space)

The Wild Ones – Tank Hill Road, Kampala

A Social Enterprise Built Around Creativity, Community and Culture

Full-Time Position

Salary: Approximately UGX 1,000,000 – 1,500,000+ per month
(This is intended as a guide only. The final package will depend on the experience, skills and suitability of the successful candidate.)

About the Role

The Wild Ones is seeking an experienced Venue Manager to take ownership of the day-to-day management of our restaurant, bar and events space on Tank Hill Road, Kampala.

This is primarily an operational leadership role. We are looking for someone who has already managed a hospitality venue and who understands the realities of running a busy operation, including staff management, stock control, customer service, systems, procedures and financial discipline.

The successful candidate will become the operational backbone of the business, working closely with Marcus Warry and Moses Musoke. While Marcus and Moses lead the creative vision, programming and development of The Wild Ones, the Venue Manager will provide the operational leadership required to deliver that vision consistently, efficiently and profitably.

The role is approximately:

80% Operations & Management
20% Growth, Marketing & Creative Development

Whilst creativity and initiative are welcomed, our first priority is finding someone who can build and manage a professional, reliable, efficient and profitable operation.

About The Wild Ones

The Wild Ones is a social enterprise that uses hospitality, culture and creativity to bring people together, support positive change and strengthen communities.

Many people will know The Wild Ones from its earlier chapter on 7th Street, where it became known for bringing together creative people, artists, musicians, entrepreneurs and change-makers through events, conversations and shared experiences.

The next chapter is even more ambitious.

Located on Tank Hill Road, the new Wild Ones will combine a restaurant, bar, creative hub and events venue. Programming will include live music, art exhibitions, talks, workshops, debates, electronic music nights, private events and a range of activities designed to bring people together.

Our mission is simple:

To cultivate creativity, inspire change and create meaningful connections through culture, hospitality and community.

As a social enterprise, we care deeply about impact. However, we also recognise that impact is only possible if the organisation is financially sustainable.

We are therefore looking for a manager who understands that successful hospitality businesses must balance three priorities:

• Outstanding customer experiences
• Operational efficiency
• Long-term financial sustainability and profitability

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Venue Management

• Oversee the day-to-day running of the venue
• Manage all front-of-house and operational activities
• Implement and maintain systems, procedures and operational standards
• Manage stock control, purchasing and supplier relationships
• Monitor wastage and improve efficiency
• Ensure excellent customer service standards
• Coordinate event logistics and venue scheduling
• Ensure health, safety and compliance requirements are met
• Troubleshoot operational issues and resolve problems quickly
• Take ownership of operational performance across the venue

Team Leadership

• Recruit, train and supervise staff
• Manage rotas, attendance and performance
• Build a culture of professionalism, accountability and customer service
• Conduct regular team meetings and staff development activities
• Ensure staff understand and follow venue procedures
• Lead by example and maintain high standards across the team

Financial & Commercial Management

• Work closely with Marcus Warry and Moses Musoke on financial controls, commercial performance and operational decision-making
• Support the implementation and maintenance of management systems and reporting processes
• Ensure accurate cash handling and record keeping
• Monitor operational performance and identify opportunities for improvement
• Help improve efficiency, profitability and sustainability across the business
• Understand key financial metrics and use them to inform decision-making
• Contribute to the commercial success and long-term sustainability of the venue

Growth, Marketing & Venue Development

Approximately 20% of the role will focus on helping grow the venue and strengthen its reputation.

This may include:

• Building relationships with customers and partners
• Developing customer databases and loyalty initiatives
• Supporting marketing and promotional activities
• Identifying sponsorship and partnership opportunities
• Suggesting new events, concepts and programming ideas
• Helping grow audiences and increase repeat business
• Contributing ideas that strengthen the venue’s reputation and commercial performance

Leadership Structure

The Wild Ones is jointly led by Marcus Warry and Moses Musoke, who share responsibility for the overall vision, direction and development of the organisation.

Together, Marcus and Moses lead the creative vision for The Wild Ones, shaping its culture, programming, events and long-term development. They work closely together on the venue’s direction, partnerships and major decisions, with a shared ambition of building one of Kampala’s most exciting creative, cultural and community-focused destinations.

Marcus oversees finance and commercial performance and brings experience as both a Chartered Accountant and Social Impact Consultant.

Moses is equally involved in the commercial development of the organisation while taking particular responsibility for legal and operational matters.

The Venue Manager will work closely with both Marcus and Moses and will play a key role in turning the vision of The Wild Ones into a professionally run, efficient and sustainable operation.

Weekly Management Meetings

The successful candidate will participate in a weekly management meeting with Marcus and Moses.

These meetings will review:

• Operational performance
• Staffing and team development
• Upcoming events and programming
• Customer feedback
• Venue growth opportunities
• Financial performance
• Efficiency and profitability
• Long-term sustainability and strategic priorities

Marcus will share and review key financial information during these meetings, ensuring the management team understands the venue’s financial performance and commercial objectives.

The Venue Manager will be expected to contribute ideas, identify challenges, propose solutions and help drive continuous improvement across the business.

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• Proven experience managing a bar, restaurant, hospitality venue or events space
• Strong operational management skills
• Excellent stock control and cost management experience
• Experience managing teams and supervising staff
• Strong organisational and administrative skills
• Ability to work independently and take responsibility
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of business performance

Desirable

• Experience running events or entertainment venues
• Marketing or audience development experience
• Existing hospitality or creative industry networks
• Experience securing sponsorships or partnerships
• Passion for music, arts, culture and community building
• Interest in social enterprise and purpose-driven organisations

Success in This Role

Success will not be measured primarily by ideas, but by execution.

The ideal candidate will help to mange systems that work, manage staff effectively, maintain strong operational discipline and ensure customers have a consistently excellent experience.

They will help build a venue that is operationally efficient, financially sustainable and commercially successful, creating the foundations that allow The Wild Ones to deliver meaningful social and cultural impact for years to come.

At the same time, they will contribute ideas that help The Wild Ones grow its audience, strengthen its brand and become one of Kampala’s leading creative and cultural destinations.

How to Apply

Please send your CV together with a short covering letter explaining:

• Your relevant management experience
• Why you are interested in The Wild Ones
• What you believe makes a successful hospitality and events venue

marcus@thewildones.club